U.S. patent application number 10/161934 was filed with the patent office on 2003-04-17 for lighted computer keyboard.
Invention is credited to Al-Safar, Ziad.
Application Number | 20030072595 10/161934 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26858279 |
Filed Date | 2003-04-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030072595 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Al-Safar, Ziad |
April 17, 2003 |
Lighted computer keyboard
Abstract
A keyboard for a personal computer includes a plurality of
finger keys having indicia thereon and operable by contact for
providing computer input. A light source illuminates the underside
of the keys. In one embodiment the indicia on the finger keys is
translucent allowing light to emanate from the indicia in the
configuration of alpha-numeric characters represented on the keys
and thereby be distinguishable in low-light settings. In another
embodiment of the invention the indicia on the keys is opaque and
the finger keys are translucent allowing light to emanate from the
keys around the configuration of alpha-numeric characters
represented on the keys and thereby be also distinguishable in
low-light settings.
Inventors: |
Al-Safar, Ziad; (Windsor,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Christopher J. Fildes
Fildes & Outland, P.C.
Suite 2
20916 Mack Avenue
Grosse Pointe Woods
MI
48236
US
|
Family ID: |
26858279 |
Appl. No.: |
10/161934 |
Filed: |
June 3, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60329733 |
Oct 16, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
400/490 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01H 2219/062 20130101;
G06F 3/0202 20130101; H01H 2221/07 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
400/490 |
International
Class: |
B41J 005/14 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A keyboard for a personal computer, the keyboard including a
plurality of finger keys having indicia thereon and operable by
contact for providing computer input, the keyboard characterized
by: a light source illuminating the underside of the keys.
2. The keyboard of claim 1 characterized in that the indicia on the
finger keys is translucent.
3. The keyboard of claim 1 is characterized in that the indicia on
the keys is opaque and the finger keys are translucent.
4. A keyboard for a personal computer comprising: a plurality of
finger keys having light transmitting indicia; and an internal
source of illumination for illuminating the indicia.
5. The keyboard of claim 4 wherein the source of illumination is
disposed about each finger key.
6. A keyboard for a personal computer comprising a light source
operable for illuminating a plurality of finger keys on the
keyboard.
7. The keyboard of claim 6 comprising a switch operable to allow
switching between on and off states of the light source.
8. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein said light source includes a
fiber optic conductor extending underneath rows of finger keys and
an internal light means in light communication with the fiber optic
conductor.
9. The keyboard of claim 8 wherein said light source is one of an
incandescent lamp and LED.
10. The keyboard of claim 8 characterized in that said finger keys
are translucent and the indicia thereon is opaque.
11. The keyboard of claim 8 characterized in that said finger keys
are opaque and the indicia thereon is translucent.
12. The keyboard of claim 8 characterized in that a color wheel is
disposed into the light path about said light source to color light
emitted from the light source.
13. A keyboard for a personal computer, the keyboard including a
plurality of finger keys having indicia thereon and operable by
contact for providing computer input, the keyboard characterized
by: a fiber light source mounted inside the keyboard; a fiber optic
conductor extending underneath the finger keys and communicating
light from said light source; said fiber optic conductor including
light emitting regions associated with each finger key; and said
finger keys being translucent and having opaque indicia thereon;
whereby illuminating said light source causes said finger keys to
be thereby illuminated and the opaque indicia thereon easily
identified in low light settings.
14. The keyboard of claim 13 further characterized by a color wheel
disposed in the light path about said light source to color light
emitted from the light source.
15. The keyboard of claim 14 further characterized by a turn knob
disposed on the keyboard and connected to the color wheel to allow
the color of the light to be changed.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/329,733, filed Oct. 16, 2001.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to a keyboard device of a personal
computer and more particularly to a computer keyboard that emits
light through each key.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many computer users through choice or necessity work in
areas with little or no ambient light. For instance, many design
rooms are kept dimly lit to aid the viewer viewing designs on a
computer screen. Also avid game players may prefer to keep the area
around the computer dimly lit so that images on the screen appear
sharper.
[0004] In these dimly lit environments it is often difficult to
identify the keys on the computer keyboard.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a computer keyboard that
emits light through each key so that the key identifying indicia is
illuminated. More particularly, the keyboard can be fabricated in
essentially the same manner as a conventional keyboard with the
addition of an internal lighting source incorporated into the
keyboard such that light will shine out through each key, thus
enabling a computer user to see the keys even when the level of
ambient light around the computer is low. Such an arrangement in a
laptop computer allows use without turning room lights on and
disturbing a sleeping partner.
[0006] According to the invention a keyboard for a personal
computer includes a plurality of finger keys having indicia thereon
and operable by contact for providing computer input. A light
source illuminates the underside of the keys. In one embodiment the
indicia on the finger keys is translucent allowing light to emanate
from the indicia in the configuration of alpha-numeric characters
represented on the keys and thereby be distinguishable in low-light
settings. In another embodiment of the invention the indicia on the
keys is opaque and the finger keys are translucent allowing light
to emanate from the keys around the configuration of alphanumeric
characters represented on the keys and thereby be also
distinguishable in low-light settings.
[0007] The keyboard can also include an on/off switch for the
lighting means so that illumination of the keys can be controlled
and thereby shut off when not needed.
[0008] These and other features and advantages of the invention
will be more fully understood from the following detailed
description of the invention taken together with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] In the drawings:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a keyboard constructed in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention illustrating
lighted generally opaque finger keys having translucent
indicia;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a keyboard constructed in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention illustrating
lighted translucent finger keys having opaque indicia;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view partially in section of a
keyboard having a light source and using a fiber optic conductor to
transport light from the light source to the keyboard keys; and
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional elevational view of the
keyboard of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a
keyboard 10, 110 for a personal computer, not shown. Keyboard 10,
110 can be a separate device as illustrated or may be built into a
laptop or notebook computer. The function, layout and operation of
keyboard 10, 110 is similar to that of keyboards of known
construction in many respects. However and as herein is more fully
described, keyboard 10, 110 includes a lighted finger key feature
that allows for keyboard use in low-light settings.
[0015] In FIG. 1 keyboard 10 comprises a support 12 and a plurality
of finger keys 14 supported by the support and operable by operator
finger pressure to provide an input signal, such as an
alpha-numeric input, to an associated desktop or laptop computer
processor. Keyboard 10 includes a source of illumination or light
means 16 therein which lights the back of the finger keys 14. The
light means 16 can be an incandescent, fluorescent or other known
light source and may emanate from a single source or multiple
sources.
[0016] Each of the finger keys 14 include indicia 18, such as
letters, numbers, punctuation marks and mathematical symbols, which
is identifiable to the keyboard operator. When the associated
finger key 14 is pressed, it provides a computer input
corresponding to the indicia 18.
[0017] The indicia 18 of FIG. 1 are translucent and allow light
from the light means 16 to emanate outwardly from the finger keys
14. In this embodiment the finger keys 14 are generally opaque. A
switch 20 is provided in the support 12. Switch 20 is connected to
the light means 16 and is operable to turn on and off the light
source. When lighted, the finger keys 14 are easily distinguishable
in low-light settings.
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the keyboard 110.
Herein similar characters refer to similar structures found in the
first embodiment. The finger keys 114 are translucent and indicia
118 on the finger keys is opaque. When the light switch 120 is
closed, and the light means 116 is illuminated, light is
transmitted through the finger keys 114 except in the area marked
by the indicia 118. In similar fashion to the herein above first
embodiment, when lighted, the finger keys 114 are easily
distinguishable in low-light settings.
[0019] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate in detail one lighting embodiment
for the keyboard 210 wherein the light means 216 illustrated is a
light bulb mounted within the keyboard. Alternatively other types
of a known lighting means such as an LED can be employed. A switch
220 is operable by an operator to connect a power source (not
shown) to the light means 216 to turn the light means on and off. A
fiber optic conductor 230 extends within keyboard 210 underneath
the rows of finger keys 214 and transports light from the light
means 216 when the light means 216 is illuminated. The fiber optic
conductor 230 includes light emitting regions 232 associated with
each finger key 214 to be illuminated. In accordance with the
herein above described embodiments with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2
the finger keys 214 may be opaque and have transparent indicia or
key characters. Alternatively, the finger keys 214 may be
transparent and the indicia or key characters may be opaque.
[0020] With further reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is
illustrated an optional structure that provides for different
finger key colors.
[0021] Accordingly, a color wheel 240 can be disposed into the
light path near the light means 216. Color wheel 240 includes color
filters that colors the light emitted from the light means
providing colored light that is transported through the fiber optic
conductor 230 to the finger keys 214. A turn knob 242 disposed on
the keyboard 210 is connected to the color wheel 240 to allow the
color of the light to be changed to provide different key colors
when used in an embodiment having transparent finger keys.
[0022] Although the invention has been described by reference to
specific embodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes
may be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts
described. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be
limited to the described embodiment, but that it have the full
scope defined by the language of the following claims.
* * * * *